Mystery novelistRalph McInerny

A religious scholar, McInerny was a professor of philosophy and of medieval studies at the University of Notre Dame until his retirement in June 2009. In his spare time, he wrote more than 80 novels — many under various pen names, including Harry Austin, Matthew FitzRalph, Ernan Mackey, Edward Mackin, and Monica Quill. But he was best known for a series that he wrote under his own name: the 29-book Father Dowling Mysteries series, which also ran as a TV series from 1989 to 1991 (and known in the UK as Father Dowling Investigates). McInerny died January 29 from esophageal cancer. He was 80.